Magazine Holder by Paul McCobb
Designed for Fritz Hansen
Fritz Hansen Head of Design Christian Andresen calls this piece a no-fuss design object from the ’50s—one that continues to resonate. “McCobb was always playing with contrast, which you see here between the natural tactile fabric and steel frame.” Fritz Hansen updated the rack with a more contemporary fabric you can also remove.
“The design is truly timeless, plus it fulfills an actual purpose. The simple, stringent design could easily have been done today.”
Photo courtesy of Maison Sarah Lavoine
Double Jeu Chair by Sarah Lavoine
Designed for Maison Sarah Lavoine Blue Collection
When designer Sarah Lavoine closes her eyes and pictures who might sit in her first-ever designed chair, she sees family and friends. Inspired by the sky, the Double Jeu Chair with armrests from Maison Sarah Lavoine’s Blue Collection is a beauty, with a steel structure and soft velvet coating. Sarah calls velvet a fabric that’s elegant and timeless.
“A chair, while a simple concept, can change a room, add character. I make my pieces to be timeless, so they can be in any room at any time.”
Photo courtesy of Karim Rashid Inc.
Cyborg Lamp by Karim Rashid
Designed for Martinelli Luce
Karim Rashid’s Cyborg Lamp, part of a collaboration with Martinelli Luce, is an LED polycarbonate table lamp with touch sensor that comes in an array of colors.
“The real accolade is seeing my objects in average people’s homes, or to see a space realized, enjoyed, and experienced by people. Design is for people, not for museums.”
Photo courtesy of Collection Particulière
Bookends in Marble by Christophe Delcourt
Designed for SLO
Designer Christophe Delcourt and Jérôme Aumont, founder of Collection Particuliere, started with heavy, dependable marble when they set out to create SLO. As book collectors themselves, they also wanted to create something fun. The design is flexible (display the bookends horizontally or vertically) and also offers the illusion of bending.
“The thought was to offer the possibility to ‘play.’ One can easily renew the setting and discover the pieces under a different angle just by placing them differently.”
Photo courtesy of Cassina
Infinito Modular Bookcase by Franco Albini
Designed for Cassina
Designed in the 1950s by the late Italian designer Franco Albini, Cassina has kept this modular bookcase in its repertoire since 2008 because of its iconic nature, according to Barbara Lehmann, head of the Cassina Historical Archives. When Barbara looks at the Infinito today she sees rhythm, organization, and lightness.
“The reduction of its elements to the essential together with its extreme versatility and modularity have made it successfully evergreen and a highly copied icon.”
Photo courtesy of Poliform
Ilda Side Table by Jean-Marie Massaud
Designed for Poliform
French architect, inventor, and designer Jean-Marie Massaud says the Ilda side table was born out of a study of style involving forms and materials. The design marries traditional materials that represent contemporary European design with an unusual form to create just the right amount of tension for a strong visual impact.
“The tables are ‘true gems,’ with tops composed of marble or resin, while the bronze base is forged in an artistic foundry and finished by hand.”
This article originally appeared in the Fall/Winter 2019 issue of Sixtysix with the headline “A Reading Place.” Subscribe today.
